Copyright Kalispell Inter Lake
Under the cottonwoods that tower above the Whitefish football field, senior Cole Moses pauses to take it all in, amid the noise of the Dog Pound. “I sit there and stare right above the flag. I take in the Dog Pound, the community, and have soaked in every moment I’ve had,” he said. “Whitefish has fulfilled my football career here.” For Moses, it’s never about himself rushing for touchdowns. It’s about the brotherhood, growth, and gratitude that defined his four years in the program. It has shaped him into one the most respected leaders on the team. Whitefish coach Brett Bollweg calls him a “special kid,” not because of his playmaking ability — and he has rushed for 745 yards and six touchdowns for the 6-2 Bulldogs — but for who he is. “It’s hard to put into words who Cole is. He knows who he is, and it’s just cool to see him have the success he’s had,” Bollweg said. “He’s confident, courageous, and humble. If you made a list of the things you’d love to see from a leader on your team, he checks every one of them, and then some.” That leadership has become the heartbeat of this year's Whitefish football team, defined by chemistry and unity. Moses, now a senior captain, has helped foster a culture built on inclusion and connection on and off the field. “I'm incredibly proud of my team and the bond we have,” Moses said. “The change in the way we hold ourselves and how we’re bonded together is incredible compared to my freshman year. We hang out all the time, and it’s carried over to how we play and stand together.” Junior quarterback Luke Dalen agrees that the energy is contagious. “It’s been fun this year having so much senior talent around me,” Dalen said. “They are my best friends, and it’s been awesome handing the ball off to him (Moses) and watching him run all year.” But Moses’ path to this season wasn’t easy. Two years ago, he learned a lesson about balance and perseverance. During the summer after his sophomore year, Moses pushed his body to its limit by working three jobs, lifting, and training daily to pursuit a starting spot. The grind caught up to him when he herniated two discs in his back. “I found out the hard way that you can only push yourself so far. I’d never take it back though. It made me the person I am today,” said Moses. The injury sidelined him, and he spent long hours on a cardio bike watching his teammates train without him. The frustration was real, but so was the comeback. “This last summer was my bounce-back. I’m so blessed to have a healed back. I could finally move again and do the things I love,” Moses said. “My brothers and I were out here before school in the spring doing linebacker and running back drills. That’s what got me to where I am.” The extra effort he put in has paid off on Friday nights. Moses has become a force in the Bulldogs’ offense, a powerful runner who always gives credit to his offensive line first. “It all starts on the line. Those five guys up front are the ones who make it happen,” Moses said. “I just give those boys high fives every play and tell them to keep working. We find a good spirit in fighting for each other. It’s not about any one of us, it’s about all of us combined.” The team’s mentality has shaped the Bulldogs’ resilience this season. After a tough loss to rival Columbia Falls, Moses and his teammates didn’t hang their heads. They went right back to work. “Shoutout to C-Falls, they fought hard and deserved that win. But we get another chance together with more time out on the field,” said Moses, whose club hosts Butte Central in a Class A playoff game Friday at 7 p.m. “I’m just excited to fight with my brothers, and hopefully get a win in the Dog Pound.” Faith and gratitude spread through nearly every word Moses says. Whether it’s bible study with teammates, playing chess with his younger brother or greeting locals at a cafe in town, he embraces the community that surrounds him. “I’m so privileged and blessed to be in the community of Whitefish,” Moses said. “We have such a great town and the support they give us. I love to go around, eat breakfast, and just see people. Those are my favorite things to do.” Beyond football, Moses has his eyes set on the future. His goal is to earn an appointment to one of the United States military academies, a dream that shows his discipline and drive to be successful. “I’ve been working on congressional nominations and applications,” Moses said. “If that doesn’t work out, I’ve also applied to some bigger universities for academics. I also would love to play football; I sent some film to smaller schools. I hope to further my academic career and if that can follow with football as well, I would love to do it.” Wherever he ends up, his impact on Whitefish is already lasting. “I’m just proud of him,” said Bollweg. “He’s the kind of leader we’ll look back on for a long time and say, ‘Remember that kid?’” For Moses, the memories will not be forgotten. The roar of the Dog Pound, the cottonwoods swaying above the field, and the teammates who’ve shared every step of the way with him. “It goes fast. I’ve tried to soak it all in,” said Moses. “This program, these people, they’ve given me everything.”
